Multi-configuration, multi-purpose rack system

Abstract

A multi-configuration, multi-purpose rack system which has at least 20 separate and useful configurations for carrying a very wide variety of objects on a vehicle. The rack system is economical to manufacture, easy to use, and may be disassembled into its component parts, stored in it's own folding platform and conveniently carried in the cargo area of a vehicle. The rack system is comprised of at least one “L” shaped member ( 3 ), either leg of which can be removably attached to a vehicle; at least one extension ( 8 ) which can be telescopically inserted into either leg of the “L” shaped member; at least one crossbar ( 11 ) which can be slidably attached to the “L” shaped member or to the extension; at least two elongate members ( 14 ) which can be slidably attached to the crossbar; and a folding platform ( 17 ) which, when laid flat on the elongate members and the crossbar, can be used as an all-purpose cargo platform, and which can also be folded into a three sided housing to securely store the rest of the rack system parts for packing, shipping, display and storage.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
       1. A multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack system attachable to a vehicle for transporting a variety of items, said rack system made of multiple major pieces comprising: 
       at least one “L” shaped member made of tubing having a shorter leg and a longer leg, said member having a right side and a left side, and either the right side or the left side having a multiplicity of holes which are larger in diameter than a series of matching and corresponding holes on the opposite side; both ends of the “L” shaped member being sized to fit within a receiver hitch and having the larger holes sized and placed to match the holes in either side of the receiver;  
       at least one extension made of tubing to the at least one “L” shaped member, said extension having a larger end and a smaller end, in which the smaller end is sized to telescopically fit within either arm of the “L” shaped member; said extension having a larger end made of the same sized tubing as the “L” shaped member; said extension having larger holes on one side with matching and corresponding smaller holes on the opposite side, similar in size to, and capable of being lined up with similar larger and smaller holes in the “L” shaped member;  
       at least one slidably removable crossbar made of tubing with a longer horizontal segment and a shorter vertical segment, said vertical segment being a slidable means made of tubing sized to slidably fit over either end of the “L” shaped member; said slidable means having larger holes on one side with matching and corresponding smaller holes on the other side, similar in size to, and capable of being lined up with similar larger and smaller holes in the “L” shaped member;  
       at least two slidably removable elongate members made of tubing, each member comprised of a slidable segment attached to an elongate, weight-bearing segment, said slidable segment being sized to fit over said horizontal segment of said crossbar; said slidable segment including an attachment means for firmly attaching said at least two elongate members at multiple points along said horizontal segment of said crossbar; said weight-bearing segment of each elongate member being sized to slidably be inserted within either end of said horizontal segment of said crossbar;  
       a folding platform having a proximal side and a distal side, said proximal side having at least one opening therein, said opening sized to slidably fit over said at least one “L” shaped member; said platform having a plurality of segments with each segment being attached to its neighbor by at least one hinge means;  
       wherein said at least one “L” shaped member, said at least one extension, said at least one crossbar, said at least two elongate members, and said folding platform are rearrangable to form a multiplicity of rack configurations, including, but not limited to: a variable length bed extender for pickup trucks, vans, SUV's and cars, an entirely new type of rack which can safely and independently carry cargo several feet behind a vehicle to allow easy access to the rear of the vehicle, a pair of horizontal arms, which can be positioned at various heights and whose spacing can be varied horizontally, on which cargo can be loaded, an all-purpose cargo platform, a bike rack, a tail gate table, a pair of horizontal arms, which can be positioned at various heights and whose spacing can be varied horizontally, from which cargo can be suspended, the rear portion of a variable-height roof rack, and as a base for easily attaching accessories to transport specialty items.  
     
     
       2. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack system of  claim 1  wherein said folding platform has a top side for carrying cargo and an opposing, underside; said platform being capable of being folded into at least a three sided container to house the metal pieces of the rack system for packaging, shipping, display and storage; and said platform having a plurality of holding means on its underside for the purpose of releasably holding the metal pieces of the rack system for packaging, shipping, display and storage; and said folding platform having a closure means to hold the platform closed to keep the metal pieces of the rack system contained therein for packaging, shipping, display and storage. 
     
     
       3. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack system of  claim 2  wherein said folding platform has at least one holding means on its underside capable of holding the platform in place on top of the crossbar and elongate members when said folding platform is being used as an all-purpose cargo platform, as a work surface, or as a tail gate table. 
     
     
       4. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack system of  claim 1  wherein the weight-bearing segment of each of the elongate members is attached closer to one end of the slidable segment than the other end, producing an asymmetry; said at least two elongate members being mirror images of each other. 
     
     
       5. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack system of  claim 4  wherein the weight-bearing segment of each of the elongate members is sized to telescopically slide into either end of the horizontal segment of the crossbar; in use, when said load carrying segment of each elongate member is telescopically inserted into an end of the horizontal segment of said crossbar, said elongate member is kept in place by friction between these two members when said friction is enhanced by the tension of a cargo tie-down means. 
     
     
       6. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack system of  claim 1  further including a novel, anti-wobble connector which is used to connect one part of the rack system to another part, to include, but not be limited to: connecting the “L” shaped member to a receiver hitch; connecting the extension to the “L” shaped member; connecting the extension to a receiver hitch; connecting the crossbar to the “L” shaped member; connecting the crossbar to the extension; said connector consisting of a shoulder bolt of predetermined length in which the body of the bolt is sized to fit through the larger holes of the “L” shaped member, and the threaded segment of the shoulder bolt is sized to fit through the smaller holes of the “L” shaped member, said threaded segment capable of being inserted through the larger holes and through the smaller holes to urge any two of the items above firmly together when a nut is screwed tightly on the threads, thus negating all wobble; said threaded end of said shoulder bolt having a means to self-center when being inserted into said smaller holes; said shoulder bolts may be of either the conventional variety or may be fitted with handles. 
     
     
       7. The novel anti-wobble connector of  claim 6  further including a washer under the nut which has an outside diameter larger than the pin retaining hole in a receiver hitch and which is strong enough to withstand deformation of less than its elastic limit under normal use conditions when said novel anti-wobble connector is used to connect a part of the rack system to a receiver hitch. 
     
     
       8. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack of  claim 2  wherein the dimensions of the rack system parts are of predetermined sizes to easily fit within said at least three sided container formed by the folding platform. 
     
     
       9. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack of  claim 2  wherein the dimensions of the folding platform are of a predetermined size to easily fit within the cargo carrying area of a vehicle. 
     
     
       10. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack of  claim 1  wherein each of the major pieces of the rack system slidably attach to at least one of the other rack pieces. 
     
     
       11. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack of  claim 2  wherein the longer leg of the “L” shaped member, when situated vertically, can be used to abut cargo against to provide support in the vertical direction for cargo which is resting primarily on the all-purpose cargo platform, or on the elongate members. 
     
     
       12. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack of  claim 11  wherein the extension is attached to the longer leg of the “L” shaped member to provide vertical support for cargo items which are taller than the longer leg of the “L” shaped member. 
     
     
       13. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack of  claim 11  wherein the longer leg of the “L” shaped member is used as a tie-down point to support cargo in the vertical direction. 
     
     
       14. The multi-configuration, multi-purpose carrying rack of  claim 12  wherein the extension can be used as a tie-down point to support cargo taller than the longer leg of the “L” shaped member.